A med spa is a unique animal, a hybrid between a day spa, beauty salon and doctor’s office. The idea, at least in theory, is to provide a comfortable, non-clinical setting where clients can relax and enjoy both medical and non-medical treatments without feeling they are in a clinic or hospital. From a back massage to Botox injections to laser hair removal, you can have a variety of treatments designed to make you look younger and/or feel better carried out under one roof.
Med spas are designed to be relaxing, informal places offering a variety of procedures, both invasive and non-invasive. But if you intend to have anything carried out that is more medically oriented than a manicure, light facial or reflexology foot massage, make sure a doctor is on-site, and that a licensed medical professional is performing your treatment.
Med spas “may offer traditional, complimentary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting,” the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations states. But they must always “operate under the on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional operating within their scope of practice, with a staff that operates within their scope of practice as defined by their individual licensing board if licensure is required.”
So if you are interested in visiting a med spa, do your homework first. While the experience is meant to be pleasurable with fantastic results, your health and safety should always be paramount.
Then don a fluffy robe and a pair of flip-flops, tie your hair back and expect to be pampered…
Spa Treatments (Non-Invasive)
Med spas offer all sorts of non-invasive treatments, ranging from run-of-the-mill facials to New Age alternative therapies such as iridology and Satvik Energy Healing. Most can be enjoyable and relaxing, as long as they are not used as a substitute for conventional medicine. Among the most popular ones are:
- Facials. Many types of non-invasive facial treatments are on offer, the choice is up to the med spa. From tightening and lightening to deep cleansing and facial massage, there is literally something for everyone.
- Peels. Light chemical peels can be carried out by licensed staff, a deeper chemical peel should only be done under the strict supervision of a doctor. They exfoliate the outer layer of the skin to reveal newer, more blemish-free skin underneath.
- Waxing. Med spas offer a variety of hair removal techniques, with waxing being perhaps the least time-consuming and cheapest – but with only temporary results. However, some people say that regular waxing makes their hair grow in less coarse and more sparse.
- Tinting. Eyebrow and lash tinting, or a combination of the two. Make sure you have a consultation with the therapist beforehand, as well as an allergy test at least two days before you go for the tint.
- Massage. From Thai massage, deep tissue massage, shiatsu and Reiki, there is a therapy to suit most needs, tastes and even desires. How about a hot stone massage, where – surprise – hot stones are placed on your back to encourage the blood to circulate better, and the lymphatic drainage system to empty? There’s even a spa in Israel that tempts clients with a snake massage, where the little reptiles are set loose to crawl all over your skin…
Medical Treatments (Invasive)
It’s recommended that these treatments be administered by a dermatologist or doctor, not just any old aesthetician. Ask before you go to make sure you have only the most qualified people treating you. As regulations vary from state to state, your safety really is in your own hands. Insist on the best and don’t be fobbed off – would you want a receptionist giving you injections to plump up your buttocks?
- Injections. Botox injections are arguably the most popular invasive treatments a med spa can offer. The Botulinum toxin poison, which is FDA-approved, works by relaxing – read paralyzing - the facial muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Dermal Fillers. Whether you want Restylane, Juviderm, Radiesse, Sculptra, collagen or other fillers, they can perform a plethora of miracles, from giving your lips that Angelina Jolie look to filling in crow’s feet and smoker’s lines on the face. Can even be used on the hands (ouch!).
- Dental. Med spas often offer a variety of cosmetic dental treatment, including teeth whitening, straightening and realignment.
- Dermatology. Medical procedures such as wart, mole and scar removals can be carried out at med spas, along with specific acne treatments and deep chemical peels, facials etc. Many also do tattoo removals these days, with excellent results in most cases.
- Laser Hair Removal. An intense beam of pulsed light passes through the hair, and the heat destroys it at the follicle point. The choice is up to you: you can have hair removed from your legs, face, bikini area, tummy, underarm area, back or even neck. Suitable for both men and women.
- Laser Skin Treatments. Kind of like a chemical peel with laser light used to penetrate the top layer of the skin instead of chemicals. It falls away, revealing newer, more unblemished skin underneath. Ebrium and Fraxel lasers are some of the most popular on the market today.
- Photo Rejuvenation. These treatments are suitable for those with specific skin issues such as age spots, blemishes and wrinkles. A combination of heat and pulsed light therapy helps remove the worst of the culprits, and make the rest appear less noticeable through promoting collagen production in the skin.
- Vascular Treatments. From sclerotherapy to laser treatment, including getting rid of spider veins on the face, legs, ankles and other parts of the body. Can also get rid of skin tags and hemangiomas.
Visiting a med spa is meant to be a positive experience, not one that will leave you with serious injury or permanent scarring. They can be a fantastic place to have a non-invasive treatment carried out, but often a doctor’s office or hospital is best for something more invasive. Use common sense, and speak with your own doctor first.
Before you visit any med spa ensure that a physician will be overseeing the facility, and that he or she is always on-site. Make sure staff are qualified and licensed, that the equipment is state-of-the-art and up-to-date, and that staff are properly trained to use it correctly. Find out what you’re getting into before you visit any spa, and do your research carefully. Good luck!
If you’re looking for a medical spa near you, check out the links below!
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